hiking along the ionian coast

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Price From

484€

Category

Hiking

Destinations

Llogara, Ionian Coast

Difficulty

T3

Duration

6 Days

Tour Type

Self-Drive

Trip Code

CST06SG

Why join this tour?

  • Hike along the Caesar’s path in Llogara National Park
  • Dare to ascent Mount Qorre and be amazed from the view of wild mountains and paradise beaches stretching along the coast
  • Hike to the pristine Krorëzi Bay
  • Enjoy the hike to the Ngjipe Canyon and bathe in the crystal-clear sea at the Bay
  • Enjoy the scenic drive along the Ionian Coast and the visit of traditional villages along it
  • Hike to Bureto Summit
  • Discover Gjirikastra – UNESCO World Heritage

The right tour for you?

  • This is a hiking tour, so a moderate level of fitness is required. We kindly ask you to read our daily trip descriptions which give detailed information about: terrain, technical difficulty, estimated walking times, ascent/descent in meters.
  • This is a self-guided tour. We will provide you with all the necessary information to safely hike on these trails.
  • Please read the packing list carefully and bring all essential items with you especially the right walking shoes.
  • Being prepared to cope with the weather conditions is an important factor to consider before you travel. Be prepared for all elements – rain, wind, heat and cold.
  • Most of the time there is no shade so remember to bring a hat and sun protection. The temperatures may be very high during the Summer and don’t forget to have always plenty of water with you.
Day 1: Hiking in the Llogara national park: T2, 3h, ↑400m, ↓400m, 9km

Your journey starts with the drive towards Llogara National Park, where the hike of the day will take place. The ascent follows initially through the dense forest. As the pine forest clears, the path continues along rockier terrain and passes through a small shepherd’s settlement, shortly before it arrives at the place called “Qafa e Thellë”. From there, the view of the entire coast is magnificent. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Italian coast on the other side of the Otranto Strait, less than 90km away.
After some time to take in the view the hike follows the same trail back to the place where you have parked the car. Accommodation will be provided in a hotel in the park.
The price includes:
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Llogara National Park
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

 

Day 2: Hiking to the Qorre Summit: T3, 7h, ↑1000m, ↓1000m, 9km

Today’s destination is the Qorre Summit, which rises at an altitude of 2018 meters and is the second highest peak of the Ceraunian Mountains. On the southeast, Mount Çikë goes sharp into the sea: a difference of more than 2000 meters in less than 5 kilometers. Especially on its upper part, there are very steep mountain slopes. The trail to the top is very visible but steep. At the top you will be rewarded with a magnificent view: wild mountains and paradise beaches stretching along the coast. After a short photo break, the descent begins. As you approach the park, the path becomes less difficult and goes through pine trees.
In the afternoon you will board the vehicle for the short drive to Dhërmi, where accommodation is planned.
Dhërmi is one of the most well-known and picturesque coastal villages in Albania. The old village is set into the mountain and is one of the oldest and most characteristic villages on the Ionian Coast, with its stone, mountain houses nestling happily with historical monuments. There are many attractions worth a visit in Dhërmi. During Summer the coastal resort is a nightlife hotspot.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Packed Lunch
• Accommodation in a 3-Star hotel in Dhërmi
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

 

Day 3: Hiking to Ngjipe Beach: T2, 3h, 6km, ↑350m, ↓300m

After breakfast, you will drive to the starting point of the hike to Ngjipe. You will follow a well-prepared trail to descend to the beach. Some small stops are planned at panoramic spots along the way.
The canyon of Ngjipe is situated along the lower parts of Ngjipe stream, between the villages Vuno and Ilias. It is formed by water erosion, is more than 2km long and 100m deep. Walking along its length is a unique experience. The landscape is attractive, the beach is clean and the water clear.
After some time to enjoy the sea and the sun on the beach, the hike continues following the same trail up to the place where you have parked the vehicle.
Your scenic drive along the Ionian Coast continues in the direction of Qeparo, where accommodation is planned.
On the way lies the Bay of Porto Palermo. Apart from its natural beauty, it is known as one of the most important military bases during the cold war. From the road you can see the tunnels where Albanian military submarines were moored. During the communist years, it was forbidden to be in this area without permission. On a peninsula, just in the middle of Porto Palermo Bay lie the ruins of the Fortress of Ali Pasha, that is worth a visit.
Included in the price:
• Breakfast
• Accommodation in a 3-Star hotel in Qeparo
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

 

Day 4: Hiking to Krorëzi Bay: T2, 3h, ↑400m, ↓400m, 6km

In the morning, you will drive from Qeparo to the starting point of today’s hike near the beach of Kakome.
The trail is easy, and not too steep, with views over the beaches of Kakome and Krorëz.
There are restaurants, bars and beaches in Krorëz, where you can spend the day enjoying the sea and the sun. In the afternoon the hike continues on the same trail.
Accommodation is provided in Saranda.
The city is a blend of breathtaking natural beauty, rich history and vibrant life. It lies at the most southern point of Albania, only few kilometres from Corfu.
Not far from Saranda lies Butrint, the most important archaeological site of Albania, an UNESCO World Heritage. Butrint is known since the 7th century B.C. as the most important city of Epirus. Its building is linked to the presence of the Trojan prince Aeneas. If you wish, you can visit the site in the afternoon on your own.
Included in the price:
• Breakfast
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Saranda
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

 

Day 5: Hiking to the Bureto Summit: T3, 8h, ↑1100m, ↓1100m, 11km

The day starts with the drive from Saranda to the village called “Labovë of the Cross”. There you can visit the church, which is known as one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the entire Balkans. It has interesting architecture, decoration and an extraordinary story. Until the end of 80s, in the church was preserved a silver cross that was believed to contain a piece of the True Cross where Jesus Christ was crucified. This very rare relic in the Byzantine world gave the village its name.
Departing from the village you will follow the trail that passes through the upper part of the village of Libohova. From there, the trail is very visible and hard to miss. At first, it leads in a North-Eastern direction for a few hundred meters, then turns to the South-East running first through a meadow and then through a small forest. After a few hundred meters it starts zigzagging up to a saddle. There, the old tunnels built for military purposes during the Cold War are visible. The trail follows the ridgeline up to the summit, where you can find yet more bunkers and abandoned military installations.
The descend follows the same trail, until reaching Labovë e Kryqit. After the hike, you will drive to Gjirokastra, where accommodation in a hotel is planned.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Gjirokastra
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

 

Day 6: Culural discovery of Gjirokastra - the city of stone – UNESCO World Heritage

Gjirokastra is an outstanding example of an Ottoman merchant town and one of the few still surviving in the Balkans. It is well known for its handicrafts market with its many shops.
The fortress of Gjirokastra is well worth a visit, as are the well-preserved museum-houses of the city.
In the afternoon you will drive back to Tirana, where your Albanian adventure ends.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Performance level:

Our daily trip descriptions give detailed information about: terrain, technical difficulty, estimated walking times, ascent/descent in meters. We kindly ask you to read these very carefully and consider them while choosing your trip.

The given technical difficulty for each daily trip specifies in any case the maximum difficulty in the course of the corresponding trip. That does not necessarily mean that the whole day trip is technically that difficult.

 

 

Abbreviations:

↑ = Ascent in meters

↓ = Descent in meters

 

Walking time:

Estimated walking times are given for each tour. These times do vary, however, according to the day’s weather conditions, and the fitness levels of the tour participants. These times do not include times taken for meals and breaks.

 

Orientation:

Most of the hiking trails are signed, but not always visible. We will provide you with a detailed information package to help your navigation. Some of the trails might not be well marked and eventual bad weather can make the navigation difficult. Good navigation skills are necessary.

 

Accommodation:

During this tour you will be accommodated in carefully selected 3- and 4-star hotels.

The accommodation in hotels will be provided on a twin-share basis. The hotel rooms all have a private bathroom with a shower/bath and toilet.

 

Solo travelers:

The tour is suitable for solo travelers.

 

Transfers:

This is a self-drive tour. The transfers described in the itinerary are not included in the price and you will travel on your own. You can use your own vehicle, rent one at your own convenience, or we can assist you in finding the right rental vehicle for you.

Using a camper or RV is also possible. Please contact us if you are planning to do so.

 

Extensions:

If you wish to extend your journey by a few days, we are at your disposal to further organize your tour according to your wishes. All related services and costs are not included in the tour price and as such will be additionally calculated.

The tour begins and ends in Tirana. If you wish to start or end your tour from/to another location, we can organize your tour as well.

 

Sustainability:

We are strongly committed towards responsible and sustainable travel.

We please our guests to follow our guidelines regarding sustainability:

• Respect the local people, their culture and environment.
• Support locally owned businesses, restaurants and other services: Eat local food and drink local brands and brews.
• Shop from traditional artisans and for locally made products. Favor local products over imported items. This helps in keeping traditional crafts alive. Even a small amount could be extremely important to local producers.
• Always ask first before photographing or videoing people. Send them back copies of photos to help make it a two-way exchange.
• We strongly recommend bringing reusable water bottles. In places where tap water is potable, this eliminates the usage of single-use plastic bottles entirely.
• Bring a water filter. This way you can drink tap water even in places where it is otherwise unsafe to do so.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. Our staff and guides are trained and able to advise you in detail about our approach towards sustainability.

 

Health and Safety:
We are committed to ensuring your safety and well-being during your travels. Here’s a summary of some important health and safety aspects for your upcoming visit to Albania:
• Travel Safety: (USA, UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, etc.) Many governments provide travel advice for Albania, which includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements, and legal differences. Please visit your government foreign office for advice for more information.
• Water Quality: Please note that tap water in many parts of Albania may not be safe to drink due to aging infrastructure. We recommend opting for bottled water.
• Food Safety: While enjoying the local cuisine during your free meals, we advise you to follow standard food safety guidelines. This includes ensuring your food is thoroughly cooked and consuming only pasteurized dairy products.
• Illegal drugs: Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe. Possession of illegal drugs could result in a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years. The penalty for supplying drugs is up to 15 years in prison. Cannabis possession and consumption is not legal, and the same penalties as for all other drugs apply.
• Climate: Please be aware that Albania has a mediterranean climate. It can get very hot in the summers, and rain showers can be intense. Please be prepared for all weather conditions.
Please note that this is a general overview, and the specific health and safety issues can vary depending on the exact location within Albania and the activities undertaken. We always recommend checking the latest updates before travelling to Albania.

Included in the price:
• 4 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels in double/twin room
• 2 nights accommodation in 3 start hotels in double/twin room
• Meals according to the program schedule
• Detailed information and route descriptions in English
• 24/7 emergency telephone support

 

Not included in the price:
• Transportation
• Rental Vehicle
• Any type of insurance
• Meals and beverages not described in the program or listed as included
• Other services not mentioned in the included section above or in the itinerary

Essential Equipment:
• Daypack
• Rain cover for daypack
• Hiking boots (category B/C)
• Hiking trousers
• Sweater/Jacket
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• T-shirts/shirts
• Spare socks
• Reusable water bottles (at least 2 liters in total)
• Comfortable shoes for traveling and sightseeing
• Head lamp
• Sunhat
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Blister bandages
• Any prescription medication you might need
• Passport or ID

 

Recommended Equipment:
• Water filter or alternative water purification system
• Reusable container for packed lunch
• Reusable straw
• Hydration system
• Slippers
• Personal first aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Trekking Poles

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